Speeches were made, tears were shed and prayers dedicated to the memory of C.L. Hunter during a memorial dedication on Sunday at the Plaza de Española.
During an event where former Mayor Richard Lucero sang a partial rendition of “Danny Boy” in honor of the local businessman, memories of Hunter were aplenty at the function also attended by Mayor Alice Lucero and State Rep. Nick Salazar.
The plaque dedicated to Hunter highlighted the various boards he served on and the successful businesses he started, including Valley National Bank and Hunter Motor Company. After two paragraphs of accolades, the plaque promoted Hunter’s qualities as a family man and community member.
“While C.L.’s business savvy and extracurricular activities were plenty to be proud of, what made his smile sparkle was the mere sight of his family, friends and neighbors of the Española Valley,” the plaque read.
Hunter’s son, Ed Hunter, backed up the plaque’s assertion, calling his father “a combination of brains and heart” before remarking on his business acumen.
“Whatever he touched turned to gold,” Hunter said.
After a tear-choked prayer from Richard Lucero wrapped up the ceremony, Hunter gave an impromptu salute to his father, who died in 2011.
In an earlier interview, Alice Lucero said C.L. Hunter was deserving of a memorial because of the time and effort he dedicated to building and developing the Plaza.
“He was there to lay down the corner stones,” she said.